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“Now I’m riding a horse.”
John glanced at her. “Yes, you are. And you look damn good doing it.”
They took it slow and headed across the field of knee-high grass that was still green despite it being the middle of July. It was a warm day with a slight breeze keeping the air moving. John kept the horses at a walk and the ground was mostlylevel. It was a gentle and beautiful first ride for Ember.
John had discovered a creek on one of his rides and he wanted to show it to Ember. It didn’t cross Everett’s land, but was on the public land behind his property. John hoped he might get her to take a swim with him. Though he thought it was probably a longshot.
After a mile, they left the meadow and meandered through a stand of Aspen. When they came out on the other side, they could hear the water in the creek rushing. John stopped the horses.
“There’s a creek up ahead I want to show you.”
“Everything is just so beautiful out here.”
He glanced at her. “Yes, it is.”
She smiled. “Keep your eyes on the trail, mister.”
They started the horses walking again and crossed another grassy meadow, then came to a row of willows growing along the creek.
John stopped Sarge again, and Ebony stopped, too. Ember took in the creek, which was twelve feet across and about two feet deep. The water was so clear you could see the rocks and gravel at the bottom of it.
“Wow! It’s so pretty.”
“I thought you’d like it.”
“Is this Everett’s property?”
“He said it's Forest Service land and the onlyway to it is on horseback or foot. So not too many people get back here.”
“Can we have our picnic here?”
“Of course.” John got down from Sarge, then went to help Ember. He helped her dismount, then put his arms around her. “You did great. How’d it feel?”
“I think I see why you like it so much.”
“So you’ll ride with me again?”
“Definitely.”
He pulled her in for a kiss. “That makes me very happy.”
She removed his hat and brushed some damp hair off his forehead. “You love it. So I want to learn to love it too.”
He kissed her, then took his hat back and put it on, before tying the horses to a branch of a Willow. He took her hand, and they walked to the creek.
Ember went right to the edge. “It’s so clear.”
“Yeah.” He knelt and felt the water. “And cold.” He patted his hand dry on his jeans. “I thought maybe we could swim. But it’s not very deep.”
She nudged him. “And we didn’t come prepared to swim.”
“There’s no one around, honey.”
“John. I’m not skinny dipping in the cold creek with you.”
“I figured. Will you at least wade with me?”
“Yes. As long as you behave.”
